Natal Green Snake
Philothamnus natalensis
A slender, bright green, harmless snake found in coastal and inland vegetation of southeastern Africa, often mistaken for the venomous boomslang.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-1.0 m (2-3.3 ft)
- Range
- Southeastern Africa
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Overview
The Natal Green Snake is a slender, fast-moving arboreal colubrid native to southeastern Africa, commonly seen in gardens, hedges, and coastal vegetation. Its vivid green coloration allows it to blend seamlessly with foliage.
It is completely non-venomous and harmless to humans, though its green coloration sometimes leads to confusion with the venomous boomslang, despite being a distinct and unrelated species.
How to identify it
- Bright to olive green coloration over the body, sometimes with a bluish tinge
- Slender, elongated body with a long tail
- Large eyes with round pupils, unlike the boomslang's more rounded but proportionally larger eye
- Smooth scales lending a glossy appearance
- Narrow head not markedly distinct from the neck
Its round pupils, smooth scales, and non-venomous nature distinguish it from the superficially similar boomslang, which has larger eyes and a more robust build.
Habitat & range
Found in coastal bush, forest edge, gardens, and hedgerows across southeastern Africa, including South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal region and neighboring Mozambique and Eswatini.
It readily adapts to suburban and semi-urban environments with sufficient vegetation cover.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Diurnal and highly active, moving quickly through shrubs and trees in search of prey. It feeds primarily on frogs, small lizards, and occasionally insects.
It is oviparous, laying small clutches of eggs in vegetation or leaf litter during the warmer months.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Natal Green Snake venomous?
No, it is completely non-venomous and harmless.
How big does the Natal Green Snake get?
It typically reaches 0.6-1.0 m (2-3.3 ft).
Where is the Natal Green Snake found?
It occurs in southeastern Africa, particularly South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal region.
Is the Natal Green Snake the same as the boomslang?
No, they are different species, though both are green and arboreal; the boomslang is venomous while the Natal Green Snake is not.
Natal Green Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Natal Green Snake.
